Dog Crazy for Kong Wobbler
Hilarious to Watch!
We bought a Kong Wobbler for our senior dog. He quickly learned how to use it and loves it now!
What is your dog’s favourite toy? (Comments below)
Love Train Zug der Liebe Berlin 2017
This is Love Train 2017 – Berlin Germany – Zug der Liebe
Replacement to the Love Parade. Footage taken in the area of Corinthstrasse and Markgrafendamm in Friedrichshain, Berlin. The Love Train party, known as Zug der Liebe, took place one day after German law voted to legalize same sex marriage. Watch what happens in the video as the party progresses! Comments welcome below.
Top 5 Budget Friendly Things to Do in Konstanz Germany
Local attractions that hit the top 5 things to do when visiting Konstanz – the little city on the Bodensee with the Rhein river running through it.
The city, dating back to the stone ages, has many budget friendly options of things to see and do, all within walking distance of each other. Alternatively, hop on a bike and move around like a local – either way, you will not be bored! In no particular order, here is the top 5 list of things to do in Konstanz, Germany. Criteria: Budget friendly & within walking distance of the Old Town.
#1 – Walking or Cycling
What better way to get up close to the sites and enjoy the beauty than seeing it every step of the way! Soak up the amazing eclectic mix of romanesque, gothic and renaissance architecture. Check out the harbor areas where you will find the over 600 year old Konzil building or see the 9 meter high rotating Imperia statue of a woman balancing the naked Pope and Emperor on each hand. Meander the centuries old streets of Old town Konstanz with buildings dating to the 13th century still standing. Crane your neck and look way up at the Gothic tower of the impressive Muenster Cathedral or feed the geese as you find a quiet spot to relax on the waterfront.
#2 – Swimming
If it is summertime – and that is the best time to visit Konstanz – why not join the locals and go for a refreshing dip in one of the many free areas. Along the Rhein River, close to the Fahrrad Brueke, you will find many people enjoying a splash in the cool river or simply sunbathing on the grassy or cement areas nearby. Many join in the fun jumping from the bridge into the water – please be careful to watch for other swimmers and or boats. Herosépark, and am Schänzle are other favourite swim spots on the Rhein. Alternatively, the lake of Constance – Bodensee – also has beach areas where you can bathe for free. Probably the most popular beach is the Hoernle reachable by foot or bike. With it’s huge grassy area for sunbathing and cool lake water it can get quite busy on the weekend. People play frisbee and volleyball, eat ice cream or enjoy a coffee or meal at the Cafe Restaurant Hörnle with a lake view. Into nude sunbathing? There is a region for that too! Here I need to mention the Bodensee Therme. It has it all – water slides, sauna, thermal bath, pools and gorgeous views – but be prepared to reach deep into your pockets. Although there are many more swimming areas, these are easiest accessible by foot. Should I do a blog on swimming??? Comment below!
# 3 – Shopping
I am not a big fan of shopping per se, but I love looking at things, especially when they are foreign to my eye. Window shopping costs nothing, is a great way to pass some time and you might find that very special souvenir. The old town / Altstadt has literally hundreds of shops you can browse through offering everything from real Lederhosen and Dirndl to kitschig magnets, postcards, t-shirts and posters. Yes, the good “normal” stuff is available too – just hit the fashionable LAGO shopping center which is just like any mall near you!
# 4 – Kayaking / Surfing / Boating
Being on the water makes this a big past time for locals and visitors alike. Maybe you have your paddleboard / kayak / sailboat etc. with you, in which case you can launch it yourself and have fun! Otherwise, you will have to hit one of they many rental places offering water sports. Pedal boats and little motor boats can be rented at the Stadtgarten in Konstanz. The Wilde Flotte can take care of bigger ambitions such as chartering a sail or motor yacht- it will cost and you need to present your sail squadron certificate if you plan on sailing / driving yourself.
# 5 – Eating!
Although Konstanz is very old and steeped in traditions, it has an amazing offering of international foods at great prices. Some of my budget favorites include Hanoi – Asian food, Pizzeria Paradies – pizza and Turkish food and Defne – Turkish food. For a little extra money with great atmosphere and views, Donato is a fabulous Italian Deli serving a daily special; fresh and authentic, in the heart of the Old Town / Altstadt or the Hafenhalle, an authentic beer garden at the port serving traditional German dishes and litre size beers! If money is not an issue, the sky is the limit in delicious dining – think German cuisine at the Brauhaus, potato specialties at Tolle Knolle, steak at the Heuboden, or the Michelin Star fine dining places like Ophelia, San Martino and Seegarten.
So that wraps up my top 5 budget friendly things to do in Konstanz, Germany (within walking distance of the old town). To view my Konstanz Photos, check out: This is Konstanz, Germany – A Photo Blog
Share your favorite things to do in Konstanz below in the comment section.
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How To Ferry Boat From Surat Thani to Koh Tao Thailand
This blog will explain how we took the Lompraya Speed Ferry Boat from Surat Thani to Koh Tao, Thailand.
Note: The following also applies if you are going by ferry to Koh Samui or Koh Phangan.
Surat Thani – moving onward to paradise or hell? We arrived in Surat Thani following our wonderful stay in Chiang Mai, via Bangkok.
At 11:10 am we arrived at the small airport in Surat Thani, which seems like it is in the middle of nowhere. After topping up our?SIM cards, upstairs at departures, we went to book our bus & boat tickets to Koh Tao. According to one of the booths, the next bus to the Ferry leaves at 1:30 PM and the ticket office does not open until 1 pm, so we head outside for a cheaper drink (very expensive inside) and wait.
We purchased our tickets for 950 baht (USD$27.50) each, without complication, and were on the bus and leaving by 1:35 PM.
Note: There are a lot of booths selling tickets, make sure you are given the above price which includes your bus to the port as well as the Ferry.
The coach stinks like hell ? and the windows do not open; I guess they have never cleaned out the porta potty behind the door which no one dares to open.
Our stinky transport arrived at the pier at 3 pm, for a total transfer time of 1.5 hours, from airport to ferry. Thank goodness we finally arrived, because I was ready to vomit. The toilets at the first part of the pier are dirty and smelly. I am starting to feel like I have gone from heaven to hell.
For those that have arrived at the pier on their own, now is the time to buy your ticket, everyone with a ticket can walk the pier to the next waiting area.
The good news is there are beautiful views from here. The bad news is, if it is Saturday and you didn’t go to the toilet before walking the pier, the toilets here are closed.? Tip: Make sure you use the washroom facilities BEFORE walking the pier. Lots of backpackers sitting on backpacks (no chairs here!) and smoking, and a few families young families are wandering around, waiting for the Lompraya High Speed Ferry Boat.
At 3:45 PM people started moving very quickly towards the catamaran and we followed suit. The lineup was long and many crass people tried jumping the cue, some successfully- how rude – you know who you are! What a great representation of your country you are!?Can you tell it upset me? Anyone else hate this behaviour, or are you one of them???
Eventually everyone was loaded on, we untied and slowly pulled out; time 4:10 pm and I believe the boat was full. Backpacks were stored inside at the front, suitcases outside with a tarp tied over top. It was very cold inside, the air-conditioning was running full blast. The views out the window, were gorgeous. It cost an astronomical 350 baht (USD$10.00) for a sandwich and a coke from the onboard Lompraya concession booth, which we split.
We had been told the regular ferry boat goes to Koh Samui and Koh Pangan while the speed boat leaves from a different pier and goes straight to Koh Tao. NOT?. Our first stop was Koh Samui at 5:15 pm, where we let off most of our occupants, but reloaded almost as many. Lots of stinky, sweaty bodies. (Probably by now ourselves included). At this point in time all I could think is that I will have to do this hell tour back again to leave. Not a romantic getaway for sure.
At 5:40 pm we made our next stop at Koh Pangan where more people were dropped off and picked up. Finally by 6 pm we are once again fully loaded and on our way. Young men were popping open beers, cheering each other, and trying to heat up a party, or maybe still in Full Moon Party mode?! Thank goodness they lost interest quickly when they couldn’t animate anyone and disappeared into their phones.
Techno music crackles through the crappy sound system and by now I wonder how the hell I got myself into this mess and you are probably wondering how to get yourself INTO this dream… perspective?. As if to lighten my deteriorating mood, a beautiful sun sets on the horizon. The speed boat continues to drudge along; it was dark when we went to get a taxi this morning and here it is almost dark again and still we are traveling.
At 6:38 PM people start scrambling around and rummaging through the pile up front, trying to find their backpacks ?. I guess they know we are getting close; I could not see anything from my position, so I remained seated.
Our final destination, Mae Haad, Koh Tao, arrival 7:06 pm. We have been instructed to remain in our seats for about 10 minutes while they unload the luggage. Exactly 10 minutes later and let’s go! Chaos has once again reared it’s ugly head!
Next: Did we arrive in Heaven or Hell? Find out
Your comments, questions and suggestions are welcomed below!
Maxwell Road Hawker Stalls – Eating on a Budget in Singapore
Budget eating in Singapore. Maxwell Road Hawker Food Center. Endless stalls presenting food from all over Asia at affordable prices. How we did it.
Three nights in Singapore with a tight budget, surrounded by ultra expensive restaurants and bars. Here is how we survived.
Maxwell Road Hawker Food Centre
Foodies rejoice! Here you will find literally hundreds of food stalls lined up beside each other with endless